Contemporary society is characterized by celebrating equality and difference at the same time. “All differents, all equals”. This is the slogan launched by the multicultural society. How can we manage the paradox inherent to this representation?  The new societal framework suggests that the unique is universal and that what makes us equal (or at least similar) is precisely the fact we are different. Sociologists need to understand how our societies accommodate cultural differences and common belonging to the human kind. Topics regarding mutual acknowledgement, integration and inclusion of the “others” (e.g. ethnic and gender differences) are becoming hot issues in a multicultural society in which the enlargement of rights and duties to ‘minorities’ is so relevant for the political agenda. How is it possible to overcome the distance between equality (or sameness) and difference?

 Abstracts of papers should be sent by 15th January to: isabella.crespi@unimc.it

More info to be found at  www.iisoc.org/iis2008